Fire Safety in Healthcare

Course Content:

•  The importance of keeping fire-doors closed (or closing them) to  prevent the spread of fire, heat and smoke
•  What to do on discovering a fire
•  How to raise the alarm and what happens then
•  How to read the fire detection and alarm system panel
•  What to do upon hearing the fire alarm
•  The procedures for alerting other staff, residents and visitors including, where appropriate, directing them to exits
•  The arrangements for calling the fire and rescue service
•  The identification and use of protected areas for phased evacuation
•  The evacuation procedures for everyone in the centre to reach an assembly point at a place of total safety, in particular the role of residents
•  The evacuation procedures for residents who require assisted escape, to reach an assembly point at a safe place
•  How to assess the needs of a resident in the event of an evacuation
•  Resident handling where staff are required to assist in the evacuation of residents and training in the use of any evacuation aids if required
•  The location, selection and practical instruction in the use of fire fighting equipment
•  The location of escape routes, especially those not in regular use
•  How to open all emergency exit doors
•  Where appropriate, how to stop machines, appliances and processes and isolate power supplies in the event of a fire
•  The reason for not using lifts (except those specifically installed or nominated, following a suitable fire risk assessment, for the evacuation of people with a disability)
•  How to reduce risk when working with or storing highly flammable and explosive substances and bottled or piped oxygen
•  The importance of general fire safety, which includes good housekeeping
•  Fire drills, with and without residents’ involvement
•  Procedures to be followed should the clothes of a resident catch fire
• Fire extinguisher use